DeKalb man indicted in accident he can’t remember
TEXARKANA, Texas — A DeKalb, Texas, man suspected of being under the influence when he caused an accident that injured another driver last year has been indicted by a Bowie County grand jury.
Phillip Chance Mendez, 27, was allegedly driving someone else’s Toyota 4Runner when he crashed into the rear of a Toyota Camry on U.S. 82 the evening of Nov. 27, according to a probable cause affidavit. The Camry suffered such extensive rear end damage that the driver had to be extricated from the car.
The 4Runner was discovered by Texas troopers abandoned on nearby County Road 4130 where it had crashed into an electrical pole. The driver was nowhere in sight and “evidence suggested he had fled into the woods.”
Family members of the 4Runner’s registered owner allegedly pointed investigators to Mendez.
“Several consumed Natural Light 25 fluid ounce cans were located in the front passenger seat and an individual who had recently seen Mendez claimed he had been consuming alcohol prior to the crash,” the affidavit states.
Investigators made contact with Mendez the following day at his mother’s home.
“Mendez stated he had woken up in the woods near his mother’s house that night,” the affidavit states.
Mendez allegedly told investigators he did not remember either of the crashes. Mendez allegedly claimed he was “fatigued” and denied consuming alcohol the day before.
At the time of the crashes, Mendez’s driver’s license was suspended.
Court records show Mendez was convicted in 2018 of driving while intoxicated with an open container. In addition to a felony charge of accident involving serious bodily injury or death, Mendez is facing misdemeanor charges involving the electrical pole he allegedly damaged and driving while license invalid.
He is currently free on a personal recognizance bond.